暴露

• Reading: ばくろ
• Romaji: bakuro
• Kanji breakdown: 暴 (baku/bou) — violent, expose; 露 (ro) — dew, reveal, expose
• Pronunciation: /ba.kɯ.ɾo/

Meaning

Disclosure; exposure; revelation. The act of making hidden information public.

A noun and suru-verb meaning to expose or reveal something that was concealed, often scandalous or damaging. Carries a strong nuance of uncovering secrets or wrongdoing. Common in news reporting and media: スキャンダルを暴露する (expose a scandal). Can also be used intransitively when secrets come to light on their own.

Examples

1. 元社員が会社の不正を暴露した。 A former employee exposed the company's misconduct.
2. その暴露記事は大きな反響を呼んだ。 That exposé generated a massive response.
3. 秘密が暴露されて政治家は辞任に追い込まれた。 The politician was forced to resign after the secret was exposed.

Usage Guide

Context: news, media, politics

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 暴 (baku, violent/expose) + 露 (ro, dew/reveal). Both characters carry the sense of bringing something hidden into the open, like morning dew revealing what was unseen in darkness.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal